TORONTO — A particular version Toronto Raptors jersey unveiled on Thursday tries to sum up the franchise’s 30 seasons within the NBA. The black uniform has a pink dinosaur carrying Vince Carter’s purple No.
TORONTO — A particular version Toronto Raptors jersey unveiled on Thursday tries to sum up the franchise’s 30 seasons within the NBA.
The black uniform has a pink dinosaur carrying Vince Carter’s purple No. 15 jersey within the midst of a between-the-legs bounce dunk, replicating one of many Corridor of Famer’s iconic jams that helped him win the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest.
Shannon Hosford, the chief advertising officer of Maple Leaf Sports activities & Leisure, stated she loves all of the small particulars on the jersey that pull completely different design parts from the Raptors’ three many years of uniforms.
“It is actually the combo tape of our historical past,” stated Hosford. “The scratch marks are again to the ’95 jersey, the icon on the entrance is a reimagined model of that dino.
“I might say each little piece, it means one thing to us so I like all of it.”
Though the Raptors unveiled the jersey on Thursday, it will not be worn in a recreation till Nov. 21 when Toronto hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Area. Will probably be worn in a complete of 5 video games this season.
It is the primary of the Raptors’ Metropolis Version uniforms to characteristic the entire group’s model colors all through the years, together with purple, pink, gold and silver. The jersey can be the primary to highlight the crest with none textual content on its entrance, together with the standard “Toronto” copy.
Some further design parts embrace the tone-on-tone claw scratch pin stripes that Hosford alluded to, a nod to the Raptors jersey from the inaugural 1995 season.
Hosford stated that creating the jersey began two years in the past in collaboration with the NBA.
“What they introduced initially wasn’t precisely how we envisioned our thirtieth anniversary so we went again and really employed a neighborhood artist (Kevin Briones) that we would labored with earlier than, and got here up with this Vince Carter dunking Raptor model,” stated Hosford.
Carter was inducted into the Naismith Corridor of Fame on Oct. 13 and had his No. 15 jersey retired by Toronto on Nov. 2, the primary participant to be so honoured in group historical past.
Though the Metropolis Version jersey wasn’t unveiled till Thursday, Carter alluded to it in a information convention earlier than his quantity was retired.
“Have you learnt how large that’s?” stated Carter. “Even when at the present time (when his jersey was retired) didn’t occur, wherever I’m working, watching TV, I’ll get to observe a Raptor recreation with an image of me dunking a basketball on a jersey.
“That is equal to me, like Jerry West, ‘The Emblem,’ on an NBA sock, on an NBA backboard. That is me now. That is loopy.”
Hosford stated that Carter was “fabulous” all through the design course of.
“He beloved the jersey, he beloved the design, he acquired proper behind it,” stated Hosford. “He actually outlined our group at a pivotal time.
“Everybody who’s a Raptors fan is aware of that second, is aware of that dunk. It impressed a era, so I believe he is actually proud to be part of it, too.”
Staff president and vice-chairman Masai Ujiri stated in an announcement launched Thursday that the thirtieth anniversary is a season to have a good time the folks and the moments which have formed the Raptors franchise.
“Is there a greater instance of that feeling than the picture of Vince’s unbelievable dunk?” stated Ujiri. “It reminds us that we are able to encourage. It permits us to dream of flying. It’s proudly Toronto.
“And this uniform is exclusive within the league — similar to the group and followers who will proudly put on it.”
The Artwork Gallery of Ontario is internet hosting a limited-time set up that spotlights the Metropolis Version uniform with a statue of the dunking dino. Followers can see the partaking show from Nov. 14 to 17 as a part of common admission to the AGO.
Those that go to and scan the set up’s QR code may have the possibility to win a Metropolis Version jersey signed by Carter.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 14, 2024.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
